TEMPLE, TX (July 15, 2026) - The City of Temple is working directly with residents of the Santa Fe Trails Mobile Home Park following the City's acquisition of the property through a voluntary mediated settlement agreement approved by the Temple City Council.
The City acquired the property on January 30, 2026, after reaching a settlement with the previous property owner. The property was purchased for $1,432,000 using Certificates of Obligation (COs), which require the property to be used for a qualified municipal public purpose.
The City's long-term plan is to use the site for the future expansion and/or extension of the City of Temple Animal Shelter.
Background
The City acquired the property on January 30, 2026, after reaching a settlement with the previous property owner. The property was purchased for $1,432,000 using Certificates of Obligation (COs), which require the property to be used for a qualified municipal public purpose.
The City's long-term plan is to use the site for the future expansion and/or extension of the City of Temple Animal Shelter.
Background
Santa Fe Trails MHP, LLC purchased the property in 2021. After acquiring the property, the owner applied for permits to place additional manufactured homes on vacant lots within the mobile home park.
The property is zoned Light Industrial, where a manufactured home park is allowed to continue only as a legal nonconforming use. Under the City's Unified Development Code, legal nonconforming uses may continue but generally cannot be expanded or enlarged. Because the permit request would have expanded the existing nonconforming use, the permits were denied.
The property owner later filed a lawsuit against the City. During mediation, the parties reached a voluntary settlement agreement that included the City's purchase of the property. The City evaluated the opportunity and determined the site could serve a long-term municipal public purpose because of its location adjacent to the City's animal shelter.
Transition Plan
The City does not have the capacity to operate a mobile home park as a long-term residential property manager. As a result, residential leases will not be renewed as the property transitions to its future public use.
Residents are not being asked to leave immediately. Existing leases will be honored through their current terms.
Supporting Residents
The City recognizes that this transition will have a significant impact on residents and has been working directly with tenants since acquiring the property.
Following the purchase, residents received hand-delivered written notice of the ownership change and were later mailed additional notices. Since that time, City staff have continued meeting individually with residents to discuss their circumstances, answer questions, and connect them with available resources.
Support available to residents includes:
The property is zoned Light Industrial, where a manufactured home park is allowed to continue only as a legal nonconforming use. Under the City's Unified Development Code, legal nonconforming uses may continue but generally cannot be expanded or enlarged. Because the permit request would have expanded the existing nonconforming use, the permits were denied.
The property owner later filed a lawsuit against the City. During mediation, the parties reached a voluntary settlement agreement that included the City's purchase of the property. The City evaluated the opportunity and determined the site could serve a long-term municipal public purpose because of its location adjacent to the City's animal shelter.
Transition Plan
The City does not have the capacity to operate a mobile home park as a long-term residential property manager. As a result, residential leases will not be renewed as the property transitions to its future public use.
Residents are not being asked to leave immediately. Existing leases will be honored through their current terms.
Supporting Residents
The City recognizes that this transition will have a significant impact on residents and has been working directly with tenants since acquiring the property.
Following the purchase, residents received hand-delivered written notice of the ownership change and were later mailed additional notices. Since that time, City staff have continued meeting individually with residents to discuss their circumstances, answer questions, and connect them with available resources.
Support available to residents includes:
- Housing navigation services
- Individual meetings with City staff
- Information about housing resources and assistance programs
- Existing lease rent abatements and permit fee waivers
- Ongoing communication throughout the transition
The City is also evaluating additional relocation assistance options where possible.
Commitment to Residents
The City recognizes that this transition has a significant impact on the residents of Santa Fe Trails. These are our neighbors, and many individuals and families have called this community home for years. Since acquiring the property, City staff have been working directly with residents to understand their individual circumstances, connect them with housing navigation services and available resources, and provide ongoing support throughout the transition.
The City recognizes that this transition has a significant impact on the residents of Santa Fe Trails. These are our neighbors, and many individuals and families have called this community home for years. Since acquiring the property, City staff have been working directly with residents to understand their individual circumstances, connect them with housing navigation services and available resources, and provide ongoing support throughout the transition.